A Streaky Musings – The ‘Winning’ Edition

Musing on this fine Thursday morning is brought to you by… one happy camper a week away from getting to New York. However, a week away from this camper’s 30th birthday makes it less happy. Anyway, on to musings on the hottest team in hockey!

7 in a row? They haven’t played deserving of that streak, but unlike some overly dramatic bloggers out there I can see the positives. This team bends but never breaks, has a will that is mighty impressive and plays hard for each other. If you have team unity, an unwavering will to succeed and then you throw in some skill, you have the potential of a dangerous team.

Power Play, powerless… the powerplay looked good in spells, but there is still a lack of movement. I agree with Suit that with the system they are playing they need to shell the goalies from up high, but players still aren’t creating enough space.

Ryan Callahan is starting to look like last year’s edition. The best bit? With added puck possession, added depth and skill should come less of a need to block shots and this should mean less injury. Despite his all out style, there’s a greater chance we get a full year out of the Captain.

Hands up, who thought the Rangers would be tied for second in the East in points with two games in hand?

As well as they have played in recent games, (improving all the time) Anisimov and Dubinsky still need another goal or two to really get going. Both players are important forwards and a goal each after 16 games does not cut it.

So TSN initially thought Richards wasn’t living up to his end. Not only is he clutch, but he’s on course for the first 30 goal campaign of his NHL career. For a pass-first playmaker, none too shabby.

Tampa Bay was a pretty good team last year. They have a ton of talent to build around. Imagine they actually got the Richards trade right: Tampa Bay Lightning traded Brad Richards and Johan Holmqvist to the Dallas Stars for Mike Smith, Jeff Halpern, Jussi Jokinen and a 4th round selection in 2009……URGH

The next five games include a hot Florida, the Capitals, Penguins and Flyers. Will we know more about the Rangers after this stretch? Sure. If they lose them all will half of Ranger nation be saying ‘sack the coach?’ Yep. A fickle lot, (some of) us fans.

I’m a Sean Avery fan. I like the ego, I like the player and I like his daring fashion sense… no really. However, let’s not anoint him ‘back’, after two good games against two weak teams. I really hope he gets it together all year because it makes the Rangers that much better, but let’s let him keep it up for a while first. There were still bad parts to Aves’ game in the last few games.

No Munn jokes here.

Who’s been the best player in the league thus far then? I’m saying its close between the re-birth of Thomas Vanek, the continued emergence of Claude Giroux and the play of Jimmy Howard. Yes, Jimmy Howard. I could play the goalie position if I was Pekka Rinne’s size – it’s called cheating.

I love this question and have asked it before: Only one, Anisimov or Stepan?

18 Responses to “A Streaky Musings – The ‘Winning’ Edition”

Claude Giroux is playing some great hockey, and is being helped along by having Jagr on his line. Now you can understand why Filthdalphia was willing to trade both Mike Richards, and Carter when they did.

It will be interesting to see the reaction of some of our FANS after the next half dozen games, if they do indeed go 500!

I kind of can’t wait for the next homestand! PS isn’t it funny that like, a week ago people were projecting Richards to have six goals all season and be the biggest let down this side of the Mississippi? Again, that’s why they are PROJECTED STATS….. Happy Thursday!

I’m more optimistic obviously. I think there are so many good signs with him. When you can drive possession the way he has at a young age against heavy competition, you have a future.

It’s also a preference thing I think. I’d rather keep AA who may only hit 50-55 point but do it against top competition, over a 70 point Stepan who has to be sheltered, especially when we’re already committed to that type player in Richards.

I’ll stand with you Smurf, Anisimov is the complete package. Hes getting better and better each year and with this year looks like with every game now. Stephan is also there, and improving with every game also. We’ll just have a some sick Depth at Center, what more could we ask for.
Chris, Lets hope not on the upcoming games. I agree 100% that everyone will be calling for his head. I see them taking 3 out of the 5 games. With the victories being Montreal, Smelladelphia and Pittsburg

sorry but if Anisimov was the complete package he’d have more than 1 goal in 16 games. He’s improving yes, but he’s not a ruthless finisher and still needs to add physicality. He could ratchet up the intensity too.

Listen, he’s a great talent and is getting better but he has potentially got it ALL so he needs to keep getting better. I was hoping for a 20+ goal season off him this year which is looking very unlikely. He’s not a rookie anymore….